A BUSY DAY.
In the early morning of the 7th of November 1890, while one of the
severest storms known for years on the coast of Lancashire was at its
height, signal flares were observed about three miles out at sea. A gun
was fired to arouse the lifeboatmen, and in a few minutes the Fleetwood
boat was launched and hurrying on her errand of mercy in the wake of a
steam-tug. It was almost dark at the time, and the two vessels were
quickly lost to view. The news rapidly spread that the lifeboat had
been summoned, and soon a number of people were making their way to the
beach in the hope of catching a sight of the distressed vessel.
It was not until seven o'clock that the hull of a large barque loomed in
sight to those on shore, and it was then evident that but for the
gallant services of the lifeboatmen all on board would be lost. Having
got well to windward, the tow-rope was let go, and the boat drifted
gradually down to the wreck. Here lay the real danger, and it required
all the seamanship of the coxswain to prevent the boat from being dashed
against the side of the ill-fated vessel, or swept past the mark by the
force of the sea. When within a short distance, the boat was brought to
an anchor, and veered down on her cable close to the wreck, which was
found to be the _Labora_, a Norwegian ship.
The work of rescue was promptly begun, and as it was found to be utterly
impossible for the lifeboat to approach near enough to take the men off,
the coxswain shouted to the sailors to throw him a line. A lifebuoy was
accordingly thrown overboard with a rope attached, and floated to the
boat. Communication having been thus established, the crew were dragged
through the surf in safety. The work of rescue lasted above two hours,
and the boat was repeatedly filled with water, so that the fact that not
a single life was lost reflects great credit on the seamanship of the
coxswain and his men. The whole crew of the _Labora_, thirteen in
number, were taken on board, the captain being the last man to leave the
ship.
Sail was then hoisted on the lifeboat, and she made for the shore with
all speed. Notwithstanding the gale and the driving rain, hundreds of
spectators had assembled along the beach to await the return of the
boat. When at length she appeared, she was greeted with shouts of joy,
and landed the rescued crew amid a perfect salvo of cheering.
A few hours later, news of another wreck was brought to Fleetwood.
Utterly regardless of their rough experience in the early morning, the
crew again donned their lifebelts and manned the lifeboat. As they were
towed out by the steamer, a magnificent sight was witnessed, the waves
dashing furiously over the boat as she ploughed her way through the
water, and both vessels were often completely hidden from sight by the
seas breaking over them.
[Illustration: SIGHTING THE WRECK.]
Regardless of the drenching they received, they held resolutely on their
way, and soon the distance of five miles which intervened between them
and the wreck was covered. The crew hailed the approach of the saving
boat with loud cheers, but great difficulty was experienced in effecting
the rescue, as all the masts and rigging were dashing about alongside
the ship. To avoid the wreckage striking the lifeboat, and at the same
time to get sufficiently near for the sailors to jump aboard, required
great skill and judgment, as well as a cool head and a steady nerve.
Owing to the position in which the stranded vessel was lying, every sea
broke over her, and threatened to swamp the lifeboat. Eventually the
whole crew of eleven men were rescued, and the lifeboat was headed for
the shore, where the crew were landed in a most exhausted condition.
But for the brave efforts and untiring exertions of the lifeboatmen, the
crews of both of those vessels would have been lost, and well might the
noble fellows congratulate themselves on having within a few short hours
saved twenty-four of their fellow-men from death.